SR0697 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0697 LRB099 12916 MST 36765 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Robert Dean Albracht of Rock Island, who passed away on February 6, 2015; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht was born on September 26, 1943 to Germaine and Leander Albracht; he graduated from Alleman High School in 1961; he served with the United States Army in Vietnam and married Nanette Sheley on August 14, 1971; he graduated with a degree in civil engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1976; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht worked as a civil engineer for more than 20 years, primarily with the United States Army Corps of Engineers on Arsenal Island; he continued to serve his country in the United States Army Reserve; he made a career change and joined the St. Louis Division of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) as a criminal intelligence officer; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht retired from the DEA after being recalled to active military duty following the attacks on September 11, 2001; as a United States Army Criminal Investigative Division Special Agent, he was sent to the Pentagon crash site, where he performed evidence recovery and forensics duty; thereafter, he was assigned to a protection detail for the Secretary of Defense and the U.S. Army Joint Chiefs of Staff; he then led a Drug Suppression Team at Fort Stewart, Georgia, where he was recognized for his outstanding performance; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht served with the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam and wore his green beret with pride; he was a combat-decorated veteran with 22 years of service and was the recipient of 2 Bronze Stars (one for Combat Valor), 2 Army commendations (one for Combat Valor), the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and numerous other awards and decorations; in recent years, he had become active in Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299, serving as its secretary; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht spent his time traveling with his wife, working out at the Arsenal, restoring his (still incomplete) 1973 Firebird, guiding his sons in home improvement projects, and tirelessly renovating his home -- a still unfinished project 31 years in the works; he still found time to serve his local community as a Reserve Police Sergeant with the Rock Island Auxiliary Police Force; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Grant Michael; his sister, Mary Beth Hicock; and his brother-in-law, John (Jack) Sheley; and

WHEREAS, Robert Albracht is survived by his wife of 43 years, Nanette; his daughter and son-in-law, Danielle Albracht and Edward Jack; his sons and daughters-in-law Brandon and Ashley Albracht and Jerad and Elizabeth Albracht; his grandchildren, Molly, Natalie, Kellan, Shay, Erin, and Trent; his sister and brother-in-law, Nancy and Paul Fischer; his brother and sister-in-law, William and Mary Albracht; his brother and sister-in-law, Donald and Beth Albracht; his brother-in-law, Jeff Hicock; his sisters-in-law, Nancy Michalski and Ann Sheley; numerous nieces and nephews; a large, loving, extended family; and friends too numerous to count; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Robert Dean Albracht, and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Robert Albracht as an expression of our deepest sympathy.